Bracknell

Senior Social Worker – Safeguarding Team

Pay Rate: £42 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Bracknell Forest Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join its Safeguarding Team. This is a frontline role working with children and families where there are significant safeguarding concerns, requiring confident leadership, strong professional judgement, and high-quality practice.

You will manage complex Child Protection and Child in Need cases, support effective decision-making, and contribute to maintaining high standards of safeguarding practice across the service.

Key Responsibilities

Manage complex Child Protection and Child in Need cases.
Undertake Child and Family Assessments and Section 47 enquiries.
Develop, implement, and review robust safeguarding and protection plans.
Carry out direct work with children and families, ensuring the child’s voice is central.
Provide professional guidance and support to less experienced social workers.
Prepare high-quality, analytical reports for conferences, reviews, and legal proceedings.
Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners including health, education, and police.
Maintain accurate and timely case recording in line with statutory requirements.

Requirements

Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
Significant experience within Safeguarding / Child Protection services.
Experience managing complex cases and making sound professional judgements.
Ability to support and guide colleagues within a team setting.
Strong assessment, planning, and risk management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively within a multi-agency environment.

Practice Model Used by Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Council operates the Family Safeguarding Model, a strengths-based, whole-family approach that embeds specialist adult practitioners (mental health, domestic abuse, substance misuse) directly into children’s social care teams. This model promotes collaborative working, reflective practice, and effective risk reduction for children.

Why Bracknell Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Bracknell offers an excellent quality of life with a strong balance between professional opportunity and personal wellbeing. The area benefits from:

Excellent transport links via the M3 and M4, with direct rail routes to London and Reading.
Extensive green spaces including Swinley Forest and surrounding countryside.
A modern, regenerated town centre with shops, restaurants, and leisure facilities.
Safe, family-friendly neighbourhoods with good schools.
A stable, well-regarded local authority with a strong focus on staff support and high-quality practice.